From the Ask Tom mailbag:

Question:
One of my biggest frustrations, as a manager, is the expectation from the people that report to me that I 'spoon feed' them answers to all of the problems and challenges that they face. Do I have the wrong people? How can I get out of this trap?

Response:
Your solution is in your question. You are spoon feeding them the wrong stuff. When you provide answers to your team, you are creating a co-dependent relationship that you turns you into Radio Shack (you've got questions, we've got answers). You are actually training them NOT to solve their problems, but to bring them to you for solutions.

So, STOP it.

Every team member is entitled to have a competent manager, with the Time Span capability to bring value to their problem solving and decision making.

As a manager, you do NOT bring value by spoon feeding answers. Learning happens through questions, not answers. As a manager, your greatest value is in the questions you ask your team members. And if you are not getting the response you want, then you are asking the wrong questions.

A quick heads-up about our Working Leadership Online program. Our next Subject Area - Team Problem Solving starts Monday. Here is what we will cover.

• Five reasons to get your team involved in problem solving.
• Three things that keep you from involving your team.
• Why no one on your team should get a free ride.
• How to create active disagreement to shake out the best solution.

Once again, we are offering scholarships to the first ten people who send me an email. ($250 value). I look forward to seeing you online.

Coming up July 6, we begin our coaching series. Here is our schedule for the rest of the year. You can sign up for one subject, three subjects or our annual subscription (best value). Visit Working Leadership Online.

Jun 8 - Team Problem Solving - Power of Team
Jun 29 - Summer Break
Jul 6 - Coaching - Two Powerful Models
Jul 27 - Coaching - Underperformance and Misbehavior
Aug 17 - Coaching - People to Their Maximum Level
Sep 7 - Fall Break
Sep 14 - Managerial Authorities - Managerial Accountability
Oct 5 - Employee Entitlement - Yes, there is one.
Oct 26 - Performance Effectiveness Appraisal
Nov 23 - Break (Thanksgiving - USA)
Nov 30 - Bringing Out the Best in People
Dec 21 - Jan 10, 2010 - Winter Break

A couple of days ago, for the first time, we published the schedule for our Working Leadership Online program. A number of people have asked about it.

Working Leadership Online covers 15 subject areas over the space of one year, but we set it up so you can try out one subject, sign up for three in a row, or subscribe for the year. We also have an audit track for companies with two or more people in the program. (If you are in HR, ask me about this).

Our next subject area starts Monday, Control Systems and Feedback Loops. Accountability is the focus. Most managers drop the ball on follow-up.

We have had several inquiries from HR departments, so, here is the calendar for the next 12 months.

2009
Apr 27 - Accountability - Control Systems and Feedback Loops
May 18 - Managing Time - Managing Yourself
Jun 8 - Team Problem Solving - Power of Team
Jun 29 - Summer Break
Jul 6 - Coaching - Two Powerful Models
Jul 27 - Coaching - Underperformance and Misbehavior
Aug 17 - Coaching - People to Their Maximum Level
Sep 7 - Fall Break
Sep 14 - Managerial Authorities - Managerial Accountability
Oct 5 - Employee Entitlement - Yes, there is one.
Oct 26 - Performance Effectiveness Appraisal
Nov 23 - Break (Thanksgiving - USA)
Nov 30 - Bringing Out the Best in People
Dec 21 - Jan 10, 2010 - Winter Break

2010
Jan 11 - Planning - Your 2010 Business Plan
Feb 1 - Goal Setting - The Essence of Time Span
Feb 22 - Decision Making - Facts and Intuition
Mar 15 - Managing Time - Managing Yourself
Apr 5 - Spring Break
Apr 12 - Communication - Mineral Rights Conversation
May 3 - Delegation - Ultimate Leverage

Sign up here.

"It's a lot of change," Denise concluded. "I know I have to be calm and make my decisions with both my head and my heart."

"Denise, this is not all sad," I replied. "I know this is difficult to let go of things we have built, but those are things of the past. Yes, it's change, but some change is necessary."

Denise looked up, taking a fresh breath, slowly exhaling.

"Look," I continued. "I expect massive innovation, and not just in technology. I expect innovation in methods and processes. I expect innovation in business models. You are correct, this will not be business as usual, but business as usual got us into this mess. The thinking that got us here will not be the thinking that takes us to a new place." -TF
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Working Leadership Online Schedule
January 26 - Orientation
February 2 - Goal Setting and Time
February 16 - Decision Making
March 2 - Planning
March 16 - Delegation

To find out more about this program and to pre-register, visit www.workingleadership.com.

Question:
I signed up for your program, but I have a concern, related to working with teams within my own company. I don't anticipate that anyone here will participate with me on any of these projects. I hate to sound negative, but lip service around here is alive and well, and I always wind up being the only one putting a priority on things like planning and budgeting. I hope this course will help me to gain buy-in from my coworkers, but I don't know if anyone will be willing to participate on my team. If they don't or won't, will I be able to complete the program on my own?

Response:
Your question is not about our program. Your question is about you and your role in your company.

And you are not alone.

Many managers face your issue. Last month, you were a team member, maybe even the team leader that everyone looked up to. Then you got promoted to manager and everyone hates you. Or resents you. Or even if the relationship is still positive, it is certainly different.

Working Leadership Online focuses first on you, building your skill set. The interaction with your team is where you apply the skills we talk about. The purpose of this program is to help managers gain the willing cooperation of their team. The short answer to your question is, yes, you will be able to complete the program. The long answer depends on you.

You are right to feel a little uncomfortable about this. It is in the crucible of discomfort that we make the most effective changes in ourselves. -TF
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Working Leadership Online Schedule
January 26 - Orientation
February 2 - Goal Setting and Time
February 16 - Decision Making
March 2 - Planning
March 16 - Delegation

To find out more about this program and to pre-register, visit www.workingleadership.com.